Retort for reducing ores containing volatile metals



(No Model.)

' D. D. TENNYSON.

Retort for Reducing Ores Containing Volatile Metals.

No. 241,833. Patented May 24,1881.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL D. TENNYSON, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

RETLOR'I' FOR REDUCING ORES CONTAINING VOLATILE METALS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,833, dated May 24,1881. Application filed August 9, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL D. TENNYsoN, of San J os, in the county ofSanta Clara and State of California, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Retorts for Beducing Ores Containing VolatileMetals, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in furnaces or retorts forextracting volatile metals from their ores; and it consists of avertical retort placed within afurnace, through which the ore is fed.

It also consists of a discharging-pipe, through which the resultantmetal is conveyed to a reservoir without the use of condensing-chambers, and of a means for feeding and discharging the ore.

In order to more fully illustrate and explain my invention, reference ishad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation.Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section, and Fig. 4 is a verticallongitudinal section.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A represents the furnace provided with grate-bars B and doors B. In theinterior of this masonry or furnace I place a cast-iron retort or flask,O, which is constructed in two parts, each half being provided with aflange, D, and when the two parts are united a packing of iron filingsor chips is placed between and the two flanges bolted securely togetherin such a manner as to prevent the fumes of quicksilver from escapinginto the body of the furnace. Near the upper end of the retort, at

the front side of it, a hole or opening is made, through which the oreis fed through the medium of an inclined pipe or tube, E. In the feedingtube or chute is placed a stopper or disk, I, which is made to fitclosely the lower end of the tube, so that when the retort or flask hasbeen charged a body of cold ore will be suspended in the tube andprevent the volatile metal from issuing or escaping from it, and also toprovide a ready means for charging the retort again with fresh ore whenthe contents or charge of reduced ore has been withdrawn from the lowerend of the flask, hereinafter described.

To accomplish the object of withdrawing or discharging the spent ore, Imake a hole or opening in the base of the retort, in which is placed apipe or tube, F. This tube is surrounded by the fire and heat of thefurnace when in operation, as well as the flask, and connects with aninclined chute, G, opening at one side of the furnace. It is alsoprovided with a sliding plate, H, connected to a handlever, I, whichlever is pivoted to the outside of the furnace, as shown and by movingthis lever forward the reduced ore or dbris of the retort is dischargedinto the chute and out through the side of the furnace. Then, upon thedamper P being thrust forward, a fresh charge of ore in the chute E ispermitted to fall .down into the retort.

At the upper end of the flask or retort, alittle above the line of thefeed-opening, on the opposite side thereof, and so as to form achamherfor the upwardly-ascending fumes, volatile metals, or products of theheated ore, I place an exit-pipe, J, for conducting away and condensingsuch volatile metals resultingfrom the ore which is being reduced. Thispipemay be made of common gas-pipe and be put together in sections, soas to be easily taken apart should it become choked. I place this pipein a zigzag position at one side of the furnace or surrounding masonry,passing it through eyebolts, as shown, the lower end of which is causedto enter an iron tank or kettle, (not shown,) from which the quicksilveris drawn in the usual manner.

It should here be observed that the retort or flask may be cast in onepiece or mold together with the various openings and the tube or pipe F,for delivering the spent ore.

In operation the fuelis placed upon the gratebars B, and the resultantheat therefrom completely envelops the retort or flask, while the smokepasses out through the stack or funnel K.

By this construction of retorts and furnaces an easy means for aconstant charging of the fresh and discharging of the debris or spentore is had, and it is confidently believed that ores containing a smallper cent. of quicksilver can be successfully and profitably worked inlocalities where it would be impracticable and unprofitable to erectlarger and more costly means for reducing a low grade of ore.

Flasks or retorts for reducing ores of the volatile metals have beenheretofore made in sections, bolted together, and provided withdiaphragms, by which they are divided into chambers. They have also beenprovided with pipes, that convey the vapors to a condensing apparatus.This construction, however, I do not claim; but

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

In an apparatus for reduciugoresot' the volatile metals, thecombination, with the furnace A, having grate B, central smoke-stack, K,and chute G. provided with a sliding plate, H, of the retort 0, havingfeed-pipe E, provided with a stopper or feeding-disk, P, vertical(lischarge-pipe F, and a condensing-coil, J, passing through the furnaceand bolted to the outer side thereof, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand andseal this 15th day ot'Jnly, 1880.

DANIEL D. TENNYSON.

Witnesses:

U. W. \I. SMITH, lsAAo T. MILLIKEN.

